Monday, July 30, 2012

Lexington Summer Fest 2012


Come join the Lexington Recreation Department, Human Services department, Police, Fire and other Town Departments for the fourth annual Lexington Summer Fun Fest!

This fun-filled night will take place on Wednesday, August 1st from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Center Recreation Complex.  The evening activities will include a D.J., games, activities and swimming.  The Irving H. Mabee Town Pool Complex will be open, free of charge, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

So bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a night of music, fun, games and swimming!  We look forward to seeing you there.





Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Lexington Summer Concert Series


The Lexington Chamber of Commerce proudly hosts the 2012 Summer Concert Series on Friday evenings, commencing now through August 31st.  These shows take place outdoors on the Lexington Visitors Center lawn at 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, and a different performing band is featured each week.  All concerts are weather-dependent, open to the general public, and FREE.


On Friday, July 27th, The Porch Rockers will be performing. For more information about the upcoming performers please visit the Lexington Chamber of Commerce

Upcoming Performers
August 3 - Three of a Kind
August 10 - Strictly Overtime
August 17 - Soft Touch Dance Band
August 24 - Jumpin' Juba
August 31- Boston Blackthorne

Come on out and support these great and free concerts!


Thursday, July 19, 2012

The 20 Step Buying Process



Step 1: Make the Decision to Buy a Home
Step 2: Confidential consultation to determine needs and wants (and price range)
Step 3: Pre-Approval of Mortgage
Step 4: Select and Review Homes
Step 5: Write an offer to purchase
Step 6: Negotiate Agreement
Step 7: Satisfy Contingencies
Step 8: Home Inspection (if applicable)
Step 9: Sign Contracts
Step 10: Completion of Mortgage Loan Application
Step 11: Good Faith Estimate of Closing Costs
Step 12: Title received and reviewed by Attorney
Step 13: Obtain Home Owners Insurance
Step 14: Prepare to Move
Step 15: Utilities Transferred
Step 16: Final Walk Through
Step 17: Escrow/Settlement or Closing
Step 18: Take Possession
Step 19: Send Your Amazing Real Estate Agent a Referral
Step 20: Move in and Enjoy!
These steps are a basic overview and should not imply this is the entire process. There are many small, intricate steps along the way that a seasoned Agent will complete without you ever even knowing about them. I would be happy to help you with your next move in or out of the Lexington MA area. Let my expertise make your next experience as simple as this list!
Theresa D'Antuono
Owner/Broker
Grant Cole Realtors
781-862-3636


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

6 Tips to Determine the Selling Price of Your Lexington Home!

Summer can be a great time to sell your Lexington home as the warm weather and laid back schedule give people a few extra reasons to see what’s available on the Lexington Real Estate market.  As one who’s worked as a Lexington Real Estate agent for a number of years, I can attest that one of the hardest parts of selling a home is determining the selling price.

It’s easy for sellers to see the value of their home since they’ve dedicated time, energy and funds into making their house a home.  And, while you’ve created meaningful memories and have poured yourself into creating your ideal living space, emotional value and market value are two different things.  Of course your Lexington Real Estate agent will help you come to a price point that is fair for the market and to you; here are six ways to help determine the selling price of your home.

1. Study past sales
- While this will take a little work, getting to know what other homes in Lexington have recently sold for will be helpful in giving you appropriate expectations.  Your Lexington Real Estate agent can also provide you with this list and can explain more about the current market value.

2. Do not confuse active listings with past sales- For those who are new to selling a home, this is key.  The active listings in the Lexington area don’t reflect what the actual selling price for the home.  While these homes are your competition, they shouldn’t be the determining factor on the price point for your home.
 
3. Do not overprice because you have the time
- This can be one of the biggest mistakes sellers can make.  They reason that, since they’re not in any hurry to sell, their Lexington home can sit on the market.  The reality?  This can have the opposite effect on your home.  The longer your home sits on the market, the harder it is to sell.  Buyers will assume there’s something wrong with your home, or may not even bother looking at your home if it’s overpriced.
 
4. Leave some room for negotiation, but don't overreach- You never want to feel like you’re giving your home away, but you will want to leave some room for both parties to negotiate. 
 
5. Think like a buyer- You’ll want to talk with your Lexington Real Estate agent about current buyer trends.  What are the top things they’re looking for in a home?  What type of flooring or finishes are desirable?  If you’ve been out of the market for some time, chances are things have changed since you last bought a home.  Getting to know what buyers are looking for will help you evaluate your home, help you consider any updates you’d like to make, and allow you to price your home accordingly.
 
6. React swiftly and decisively- Being proactive with the price of your home is key.  You want to remain on top of what buyers are saying during the showing of your home and how the market is moving.  Your Lexington Real Estate agent will guide you with this information, and you’ll want to be prepared to respond quickly in order to keep buyers interested in your home.  Don’t delay the inevitable!

I hope these tips help you as you think through the selling price for your Lexington home!  I know the selling process can seem daunting, so I’d love to help you each step of the way.  Feel free to contact me today to talk about what we can do to get your Lexington home sold!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Theresa D'Antuono

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

FSBO (For Sale By Owner)- 6 Things you should know first



For Sale By Owner
  1. Real Estate Agents have the resources needed to expose your home to thousands of prospective buyers. I will list your home on my website, through various Real Estate websites, Social Media and through my MLS service some of which the average person does not have access too. This additional exposure increases your chances of finding a buyer that matches your needs and speeds up the selling process. 
  2. Real Estate Agents have connections. I have been successfully selling homes in the local Lexington MA market for many years. I have connections throughout the mortgage industry with the best service providers, including title agencies and home inspectors. I put all this experience to work to sell your home quicker and for more money.
  3. Real Estate Agents have more knowledge of current market conditions. I stay up to date on current market values and in particular the Lexington market conditions. I review several sources on a regular basis. This will help you set a competitive asking price based on not only national but more importantly local statistics.
  4. Real Estate Agents understand the paperwork that goes into selling a home. Selling a home involves lots of paperwork, done improperly could cost you money and time. I’ve read hundreds of contracts over the years and know how to locate and understand the fine print.
  5. Real Estate Agents have years of experience. I know how to successfully prepare a home for sale, market a home and successfully close the deal as this has been my only job for years. I have fine-tuned all my processes to know what works and what doesn’t.  I wouldn’t attempt to do your job, please leave selling your home to the pros.
  6. Real Estate Agents are unbiased and unemotional. Unlike you, I have no emotional ties or preconceived expectations of your home. This allows me to make impartial judgments on all aspects of the process from preparing your home for sale to choosing a sales price to the negotiation process. 

Statistics show that Sellers actually receive a large net amount when using a REALTOR rather than selling the home on their own.
With low interest rates and current high buyer demand in Lexington MA, this is an excellent time to cash in your home’s equity to get a larger home or pay off debt. I can help you get the highest price for your house. Give me a call and we can discuss your options today!



Monday, July 2, 2012

Lexington MA Lions Club 4th of July Carnival

Come out and join the Lions Club of Lexington MA for five days of rides, games, attractions, food and lots of fun.


The Carnival will be open the following days and times
TUESDAY, JULY 3           6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4    1:00 PM to 11:00 PM    
THURSDAY, JULY 5        6:00 PM to 11:00 PM 
FRIDAY, JULY 6               6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 7        1:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Fireworks Thursday July 5th, after dusk
Youth Games  at the inner area of the Center Field Track on 10:00 AM July 4th. Several Contests!

Discount coupon for the 4th of July Carnival.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy July 4th!